EVIL thugs have desecrated 27 headstones in a historic Glasgow cemetery � including the grave of a child.

EVIL thugs have desecrated 27 headstones in a historic Glasgow cemetery - including the grave of a child.

Staff arrived at the Necropolis to find the wrecking spree.

They believe the sickening damage was carried out in daylight around lunchtime on Tuesday.

It is the third time in less than a year vandals have targeted the Victorian graveyard.

In November last year and March this year yobs on quad bikes ripped up turf.

And in August, a park ranger had his jaw broken when he was viciously attacked by two drunks.

The latest attack has shocked visitors, mourners and the city council which is responsible for its upkeep.

Works supervisor Richard Corrie, who is responsible for the condition of the graveyard, said the trail of destruction was discovered by a member of staff cutting grass.

He said: "He was cutting grass in the area in the morning and everything was fine but when he returned after his lunch he found around 27 headstones had been knocked over.

"We don't know exactly what happened but we do get guys hanging about the area near the main entrance although it has never been targeted before.

"Around half of the graves are relatively new and one is the grave of a five-year-old boy which had wellington boots and flowers beside it."

Alexander Greek' Thompson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed memorials in the Necropolis which contains the remains of many eminent Glaswegians.

The first interment was carried out in 1832 and now around 50,000 people are buried in its 3500 tombs.

Mr Corrie said he expected it to take a few months to put right the damage caused by the vandals.

He added: "A lot of the older headstones are hard to put back up because often the metal structure holding them up has rotted.

"It is easier to put back the newer headstones as we cement them in place.

"All the staff who work in the Necropolis are shocked by the vandalism - we just can not believe it.

"We have a park rangers service there daily and workers know every single headstone in the place.

"However, the Necropolis is a vast area to look after, especially as it is on three separate levels.

"It is a massive tourist attraction and we get lots of tourists every single day of the year which is one of the reasons we always keep the place looking nice and tidy.

"This kind of damage reflects badly on the city but we cannot stop youngsters hanging around."

Glasgow councillor Pat Chalmers represents the east central ward, which includes the Necropolis, and is vice chairman of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.

She said: "This is absolutely mindless destruction which does enormous harm to the city.

"These people have no appreciation of how much effort has gone into creating a place which should have dignity and respect.

"The cost to taxpayers of putting right the damage will be huge."

East central councillor Frank Docherty said he will be demanding increased security in the Necropolis.

He added: "I cannot believe people would want to desecrate somewhere like this.

"I will be asking for greatly increased security at the Necropolis."

Ruth Simpson, the council's land services spokesman, said: "It's an appalling state of affairs when we have people out there who are set on causing malicious damage in a cemetery.

"I am deeply concerned that people deliberately desecrate an area like the Necropolis."